Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Thursday, 26 April 2018

BBC News

• Cardiff Airport government cash 'could be recouped' by 2021With passenger numbers falling, the Welsh Government bought Cardiff Airport in 2013.
• Rail strikes: RMT union members plan new walkoutsThe proposed action would hit Northern, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway trains.
• Airbus and Dassault join forces to build next fighter aircraftThe rival companies join forces to build a fighter aircraft to replace the Eurofighter and Rafale jets.
• UK car output slumps on poor demandProduction fell by 13.3% in March, with sharp falls in shipments to the UK and overseas.

The Scotsman

• Ministers warned not to curb 'lifeline' free bus travel schemePassenger groups today warned ministers against making any changes to their "lifeline" free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people.

The Telegraph

• Heathrow seeks bidders for parts of its third runway project to help cut £14bn billHeathrow has opted to seek help to cut the cost of its £14bn expansion project further by allowing businesses to pitch to build parts of the scheme.

Times Online

• Union announces strikes on three rail networks [Subscription]Commuters face fresh disruption on three rail networks after further strikes were announced in Britain’s longest-running industrial dispute.

City AM

• Eurostar launches new range of hotels across city hotspots including Paris, Amsterdam and BrusselsEurostar has teamed up with hotels in city getaway hotspots that will offer customers special rates when they book with their train travel.
• Minicab trade body takes TfL to court over licence fee hike it says could 'wipe out' operatorsTransport for London (TfL) is being taken to court today by a minicab trade body that is objecting to the the increase in operator licence fees brought in last year.
• Car output falls in March as industry body calls for UK to remain in customs unionCar output fell in March as domestic demand fell steeply and export orders shrank by more than 10 per cent.
• Haulers asked by transport committee to list Brexit demands so "life can continue as normal"The Transport Select Committee has called on freight operators to make their demands and worries known so that goods are not disrupted after the Brexit transition period subsides.
• Norwegian circled with 'several inquiries' after British Airways owner IAG shows interest in full acquisitionNorwegian has received "several inquiries" following IAG's acquisition of 4.6 per cent of its shares, causing its board to bring in financial advisors to handle the situation.

Network Rail

• The New Measurement Train (NMT) is the most technically advanced train of its type in the world and the flagship vehicle of our Infrastructure Monitoring fleet.Our NMT monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph. It helps identify faults before they become a safety issue or affect our performance.
• Project in focus: Brighton Mainline improvementsWe will be improving reliability and performance for passengers on the Brighton Mainline.

Birmingham Mail

• This simple trick can save you 70 per cent on your train fareYou could save up to 70 per cent on your fare - all by booking

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford named as air pollution hotspotFIGURES have revealed Bradford is one of the most polluted places in the UK.
• MP slams Government's 'shocking complacency' over danger drivers THE Government has been accused of

London Evening Standard

• Southern rail workers threaten more strikes as driver-only train dispute enters third yearThe RMT union today faced calls to end its dispute with Southern Rail as it marked the second anniversary of the bitter row with further strike threats.
• Manchester Airport evacuated: Police place terminal on lockdown after 'suspicious' item foundManchester Airport was partially evacuated after a "suspicious package" was found during a security search.

This Is Local London Network

• 2.5 million contactless journeys made a day in LondonNew figures have revealed that 2.5 million contactless journeys are made every day across London’s bus, Tube and rail services.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Tom Richmond: Don’t let failing Chris Grayling give Crossrail on the cheap to the North IT speaks volumes about the level of mistrust which still surrounds the failing Chris Grayling that few actually believed the Transport Secretary when he made this claim to Parliament.

Doncaster Free Press

• Could new plans leave Doncaster out in the cold on rail? Plans have been drawn up to transform railways in the north of England - but there are concerns they could leave Doncaster out in the cold.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Go To Town - new bus firm takes over four routes in King’s LynnA community transport charity has invested £850,000 in a fleet of buses and taken on 18 staff to take over four bus routes.
• Greater Anglia guards to strike again – but trains should run as normalRail conductor/guards working on Greater Anglia trains have called a second one-day strike in early May – but the company insists passengers will not be affected.

Kent Online

• Free Arriva bus services for childrenYoung people holding a Kent County Council Young Person's Travel Pass (YPTP) will soon be able to travel at certain times for free.

Other Regional Press

• Airport boom is set to continueAIRPORT chiefs are celebrating after passenger numbers in the Highlands jumped 7.4 per cent in a year.
• Sadiq Khan vows to keep Met Line Extension on trackThe mayor of London has vowed to keep the Metropolitan Line Extension project on track – if more money is coughed up.
• Revived Argus campaign could help in rail link battle, says Newport councillorCALLS have been made for the resurrection of a long-standing South Wales Argus campaign to reopen a rail passenger line between Newport and Ebbw Vale.
• Chris Grayling commissions independent review into South Western Railway's 'disappointing' performanceA SWR spokesman said it is "determined to put [performance levels] right" while Network Rail stated it will work with the train operator to "improve" services
• Get this road fixed or go to court – Mr Pothole issues county council with ultimatum‘FIX A dangerous Oxford road soon or we’ll see you in court.’

Aviation Industry

• Bombardier accelerates CSeries production, overcomes delaysBombardier is picking up the production pace of its CSeries aircraft as the Canadian manufacturer overcomes interior completion delays that followed earlier issues with the availability of Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines and problems with some suppliers. read more
• ANA A380s feature new cabin optionsAll Nippon Airways (ANA) is configuring the cabins of its Airbus A380s with four classes and some all-new features that include a changing room, bar counters in all cabins and couch options in economy. read more
• LOT Polish Airlines to boost 787 fleet to 15 by October 2019LOT Polish Airlines will take three additional Boeing 787-9s on 12-year operational lease agreements with Irish lessor Avolon beginning next year, the Warsaw-based-carrier said April 24. read more
• Vinci Airports acquires interests in 12 airportsFrench airports operator Vinci Airports has acquired a portfolio of 12 airports in Costa Rica, Sweden, the US and UK from US-based company Airports Worldwide, including 100% of Belfast International and 100% of Orlando-Sanford International. read more

Other News Sources

• NEWS: There’s Hijinx at Cardiff Airport thanks to Arts & Business Cymru’s 100th InvestmentAn initiative that will see staff at Cardiff Airport being trained by actors with learning disabilities to help improve their communications skills is the 100th project to benefit from a funding injection by Arts & Business (A&B) Cymru’s CultureStep programme.
• Politician and rugby star unveil Cardiff Airport’s latest terminal upgradeA freshly upgraded departure lounge has been officially opened at Cardiff Airport, Wales’ main airport.
• FTA Calls for thorough review of HGV testingSpeaking at the ATF Operators’ Association conference today (25 April 2018), FTA’s Director of Policy Elizabeth de Jong said, “Currently, DVSA is ...